After taking a shower, I head over to Aphrodite’s, a restaurant on the hotel property that serves the best breakfast and coffee, and eat by myself. Then I take a stroll over to the library—yes, the hotel has an actual library where one can read, and the shelves are filled with every type of book imaginable. I get comfy on the couch, reading The Scarlet Letter until Adrian lets me know it’s time to go. I never tell him where I’m going, but somehow he always knows where to find me.
Freaking Kostas. He couldn’t care less about me, yet he still has to make sure he’s always in control of my life. Stupid, possessive asshole.
When we pull up to the front of the airport, it’s just after two o’clock, and their flight has already arrived. Adrian insists we wait in the car, but I can’t help myself, so I get out and wait on the sidewalk. Several people are exiting at the same time. My eyes dart all around in search of her, my feet bouncing in place in anticipation, and when they finally find her, tears fall.
“Mom!” I throw myself into her arms and nuzzle my face into her neck. I can smell her signature perfume she’s been wearing for as far back as I can remember. It’s sweet and comforting and smells like home. The bag she was carrying hits the ground and she wraps her arms around me.
“Oh, cara mia,” she cries. “Let me see you.” She pulls back slightly, but still keeps her hands in mine. “You’ve gotten a tan.” She smiles, but it’s not real. It’s her version of making the best out of things. “The sun agrees with you.”
“I missed you, Mom.” I pull her back into a tight hug.
“We must go,” Adrian points out, and I mentally roll my eyes.
After my mom and I separate, I give Stefano a hug. Nonno and Nonna each take turns giving me a hug, but it’s awkward. Everything has changed. My grandfather used to be a man I thought was invincible, but not even he could save me from this forced marriage. And our last conversation ended with him yelling at me. Something he’s never done before.
“I spoke with Phoenix,” Mom says as we all climb into the limo. “He and your father will be arriving shortly and will meet us at the church.”
I still at her words. I didn’t even think about him coming.
“He’s not my father,” I hiss. “And he’s not welcome anywhere near me, especially at the wedding he’s forced me into.”
My mom’s brows rise in concern, but she doesn’t argue.
Pulling my cell phone out, I send a text message to Kostas. I’ve had his number but have yet to call or text him.
Me: I don’t want Niles at the wedding.
Not even a minute later, he replies.
Kostas: None of this is about what you want.
Ugh! He’s such an asshole. I don’t even bother to respond.
“Is everything ready for tomorrow?” Mom asks. She pushes a wayward strand of hair behind my ear and gives me her motherly smile. I hate that Niles will be at the wedding, but I’m so thankful my mom will at least be there.
“Yes, Nora and I got everything done. The seamstress will be available at the church in case any of the bridesmaids’ dresses don’t fit.” I’ve spoken to my mom every day on the phone, so she knows how nice Nora has been to me. Nora came to the hotel yesterday and we had lunch to go over everything.
“I’m sure it will be a beautiful wedding,” Mom says. “Have you spoken to Kostas about finishing school in the fall?”
I shake my head. My goal these past few days has been to speak to him as little as possible. I imagine once we’re married tomorrow, everything will continue as it has been. He probably won’t even notice if I go to school as long as I’m in bed at the end of the day.
Forty minutes later we arrive at Saint Nicholas’s church. Several vehicles are parked in the parking lot, including Aris’s Porsche and Kostas’s Maserati. My stomach roils in fear and anticipation. I can’t believe this is really happening. This time tomorrow I am going to be Mrs. Kostas Demetriou. The thought has me wanting to highjack this limo and take off in the other direction.
My mom must notice the sudden shift in my mood because she wraps her arm around me as we all walk toward the entrance to the church. The moment we’re inside, I spot Nora. She’s dressed in a simple yet elegant cream-colored dress with nude heels. When she sees we’ve arrived, she comes over to us.
“Talia, my darling girl, you look beautiful.” Her eyes run up and down the simple floral dress and heels I’m wearing. And then her eyes look just past me and her smile falters slightly.
“Nora, this is my family,” I say, making introductions. “This is my mom, Melody, my stepdad, Stefano, and my grandparents, Emilio and Vera.”
“Yes, of course,” Nora says. “Your grandparents and I have met at the occasional dinner. It’s nice to see you both again.” She gives each person an air kiss to their cheeks and a hug. “Everyone is waiting to begin. Victoria, Paulina, and Jacqueline have all tried on their dresses and they fit beautifully.”
Nora guides us inside where the ceremony will be held. We’ve already gone over the details with the priest when we were here earlier this week, but she goes over it all again.
“Your family will sit on the left.” Nora points out. “If you would like to have a seat, Father Nicholas is just going to go over what to expect during the ceremony tomorrow, and then we’ll head over to Hēdonē for dinner,” she says to my family, who all have a seat where she’s pointed.
When I step up onto the altar, my eyes first find Aris’s. He’s standing next to his brother and three other men I’ve yet to meet. They must be family or friends of Kostas’s. Aris gives me a small nod, and his lips curl into a half-smile half smirk. The familiarity and comfort his smile brings helps me to breathe just a little easier.
My eyes next land on Kostas. His eyes are gleaming and his wicked smirk does nothing to calm my nerves. He steps forward, and I almost take a step back but quickly stop myself.
He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear and whispers, “If you’re done eye-fucking my brother, I’d like to get this over with so I can once and for all make you mine.”
Kostas
The nerve of this woman. She may be marrying me tomorrow, but it’s my younger brother whom she smiles for. It’s fucking Aris who she’s been spending all her time with. Maybe no one else sees the way she looks at him, but I certainly do. And it pisses me right the fuck off.
Her face blanches at my words. “Kostas…”
“Yes, my bride,” I say lowly, a hint of danger in my tone. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
All eyes are on us, but our voices are low enough only for us to hear.
“I, uh, you’re being ridiculous,” she murmurs. “I wasn’t eye-fucking him.”
It’s like she’s already forgotten what happened to the last person who lied to me. A hard look from me to her passes between us, making her tremble. Looking down, I nod at her strappy sandals.
“Lovely shoes. Did you get your toes done?”
She snaps her eyes to mine, her blue eyes flickering with horror. “I’m not a liar,” she chokes out, understanding dawning on her. “You’re just a jealous fiancé.”